Advertisements within family access dashboard help districts improve ROI

STEVENS POINT, WI. – August 10, 2012 – School districts have the opportunity to generate revenue by selling advertising space through an optional program that Stevens Point-based Skyward, Inc. launched for its customers in 2010. A leading provider of K-12 school administrative software, Skyward estimates districts can offset more than 10 percent of annual software fees by participating in the advertising program.

Advertisements appear on SkyPort, a secure, centralized dashboard, which allows staff, students and parents to access all of the Skyward applications the district uses. The school district and Skyward carefully review and approve all ads prior to their placement. Skyward works through Big Mac Media, an Iola, Wis.-based media company, to coordinate advertising agreements with area businesses – districts do not solicit the ads.

Since the program launched a number of districts have signed on to participate in the program and most of the advertisers have been local businesses that are interested in supporting their schools. Stevens Point Area Public School District began using the program in the 2011-2012 school year and already has been impressed with the results.

“The Stevens Point Area Public School District continues to be very pleased with SkyPort and the ability to generate much needed funds through advertising,” says Attila Weninger, Ph.D., superintendent of Stevens Point Area Public School District. “Skyward has offered us the best of both worlds: the ability to manage and determine appropriate advertising for our parents, students, staff and community and the ability to raise funds.”

Revenue is generated based on the number of times people from the district visit the page. At the end of the school year, profits from the ads are deducted from Skyward’s annual fee.

“SkyPort’s advertisements are a true win-win for school districts and local businesses,” says Hugh McAloon, owner of Big Mac Media. “Schools generate revenue, which in turn helps fund student programs and local businesses are able to reach an important demographic.”

Superintendent Weninger says a unique aspect of the SkyPort advertising program is that the district has the final say in what advertising is posted on their SkyPort site.

“That decision is based on what is appropriate for our educational mission and values, and on our audience,” he explains. “The District appreciates Skyward’s development of this product and it has begun to reap benefits for us. We anticipate an even greater benefit this coming year.”

About Skyward
Skyward is a leading provider of K-12 school administrative software that surpasses districts’ needs in state reporting, improves operational capabilities, and opens communication between schools and families. Today, you can find Skyward’s School Management System™ in more than 1,500 school districts worldwide, ranging from districts with as few as 50 students to state configurations supporting more than 800,000 students. Founded in 1980, Skyward serves school districts with its integrated student, finance, and human resources suite of products and is proudly made and supported in the U.S.A. http://www.skyward.com